5 Quick and Easy Recipes for Thanksgiving Day

Thanksgiving all goes with good food and great company. It’s filled with family, friends, and those comforting flavors that we all so love. But let’s get realistic- it can also be a busy kitchen day! If you are looking for some quick and great-tasting recipes that give something extra to the Thanksgiving feast, I’ve got some of you covered. These five recipes are simple and full of flavor-perfect taste with not too much fuss. Let’s get cooking!

Shaved Brussels Sprouts Salad with Lemony Garlic Dressing

This is one incredible shaved Brussels sprouts salad packed full of crunchy almonds and salty, nutty Parmesan. Thin shaved Brussels sprouts have light to crispy textures, while a lemony garlic dressing adds a peppiness that’s in real contrast to the heavier dishes on the main table.

Ingredients:

• 1 lb Brussels sprouts, shaved or thinly sliced
• 1/4 cup olive oil
• Juice of 1 lemon
• 1 garlic clove, minced
• Salt and pepper to taste
• Optional: toasted almonds or Parmesan cheese

Instructions:

1. Whisk the olive oil, lemon juice, garlic, salt, and pepper together in a small bowl.
2. Toss shaved Brussels sprouts with dressing in a large bowl.
3. If desired, add some toasted almonds for crunch or grated Parmesan cheese for a little extra richness.
4. Serve immediately or let sit for 10-15 minutes for flavors to meld.

Why You’ll Love It – Light and fresh, crunchy. This salad just balances all the richness of the holiday dishes, making it a wonderful side.

Simple Cranberry Sauce with Citrus

A bright, refreshing twist on the classic Thanksgiving cranberry sauce. Only 4 ingredients and 5 minutes of prep time to have this delicious, uncomplicated cranberry sauce on your Thanksgiving table right next to your turkey!

Ingredients:

• 2 cups fresh cranberries
• 1 cup sugar
• Zest of 1 orange
• Juice of 1 orange
• A pinch of salt

Instructions:

1. In a medium saucepan, combine cranberries, sugar, orange zest, and juice.
2. Heat over medium heat, stirring from time to time, until the cranberries begin to pop, which takes about 10 minutes.
3. Continue cooking, stirring well for another 5 minutes, until the sauce thickens.
4. Let it cool down by adding a pinch of salt. This sauce is delicious either warm or chilled!

Why You’ll Love It: Tart, sweet, and tasty, it’s a balance of flavors with that hint of citrus in the background. Great on turkey or in stuffing.

Spicy Baked Sweet Potato Fries with Healthy Aioli

These sweet potato fries put a new twist on this Thanksgiving staple, which is packed with flavor and a little kick. Served with a side of creamy aioli. They are the perfect snack or side dish that comes out crispy on the outside and soft inside.

Ingredients for the Fries:

• 2 large sweet potatoes, cut into thin fries
• 2 tbsp olive oil
• 1 tsp paprika
• 1/2 tsp cayenne pepper (optional for extra spice)
• Salt and pepper to taste

Ingredients for the Aioli:

• 1/4 cup Greek yogurt
• 1 garlic clove, minced
• 1 tbsp lemon juice
• Salt and pepper to taste

Instructions:

1. Preheat your oven to 425°F (220°C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
2. Toss the sweet potato fries with olive oil, paprika, cayenne, salt, and pepper if using.
3. Place in a single layer on the baking sheet and bake for 25-30 minutes, flipping halfway.
4. Meanwhile, prepare the aioli by whisking Greek yogurt with garlic, lemon juice, salt, and pepper in a bowl.
5. You could also serve the fries warm, with the aioli on the side for dipping.

Why You’ll Love It: Sweet, spicy, just the right amount of crunch. The healthy aioli adds a creamy taste.

Grilled Mexican Street Corn

Sweet, tender, and spicy! Smoky, grilled Mexican street corn brings summer flavors to Thanksgiving. Topped with cheese, chili powder, and fresh lime, this is a really delicious side.

Ingredients:

• 4 ears of corn, husked
• 1/4 cup mayonnaise
• 1/4 cup sour cream
• 1/2 cup crumbled Cotija cheese (or feta as a substitute)
• 1 lime, cut into wedges
• Chili powder, to taste
• Chopped cilantro, for garnish (optional)

Instructions:

1. Preheat grill pan or grill to medium-high heat.
2. Grill corn, turning occasionally, until slightly charred in spots, about 10 minutes.
3. In a small bowl, mix together the mayonnaise and sour cream.
4. Spoon mixture over hot corn. Sprinkle with cotija cheese and chili powder.
5. Serve with lime wedges on the side to give an extra kick of flavor.

Why You’ll Love It: Creamy, tangy, and full of bold flavors. This corn is a tasty addition to Thanksgiving that everyone will want to try.

Thanksgiving Leftovers Mini Pot Pies

These mini pot pies take the cake when it comes to using up those Thanksgiving leftovers. Each pie is topped with turkey, stuffing, and veggies, creating a taste that wraps up all of the best flavors of the holiday meal in one meal.

Ingredients:

• 1 cup cooked turkey, shredded
• 1 cup leftover vegetables (like carrots, green beans, or peas)
• 1 cup leftover stuffing
• 1/2 cup turkey gravy (or store-bought if you don’t have any left)
• Pie crust or puff pastry, cut into rounds to fit a muffin tin

Instructions:

1. Preheat the oven to 400°F (200°C) and grease a muffin tin.
2. In a bowl, mix the turkey, vegetables, stuffing, and gravy until combined.
3. Press one pie crust round into each muffin cup, then fill with the turkey mixture.
4. Top each with another round of pie crust, pressing the edges to seal.
5. Cut a small slit on the top of each pie. Bake for 20-25 minutes, until golden and bubbly.

Why You’ll Love It: Cozy, savory, and full of all the great flavors associated with Thanksgiving. Just perfect for the day after or even just a midnight snack!

Tips for Stress-Free Thanksgiving Cooking

Here are a few quick tips to make your Thanksgiving cooking smooth and easy.

• Prep Ahead: Chop the veggies, measure the ingredients, and get everything ready well in advance. That way, cooking on the day is a total breeze.
• Fresh ingredients: Simple, high-quality ingredients make all the difference in these basic recipes.
• Don’t Stress About Perfection: Thanksgiving is all about enjoying time together. If something doesn’t turn out perfectly, it’s okay!
• Put Your Own Spin On It: You can also vary any of these recipes according to your taste. Add in a little more spice, miss out on one or two ingredients-make them yours.

Conclusion

Thanksgiving Day is for fun, gratitude, and delicious food. These five recipes-from a zesty cranberry sauce to a fun twist on leftovers-are quick, easy, and full of flavor. Take out your aprons, try these recipes, and make this Thanksgiving special. These dishes will add that little extra joy to your holiday. Happy Thanksgiving, and happy cooking!